Harry Andrews

Born: 24 February 1893

Died: 4 September 1916

Rank and Regiment: Private in the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment

Resting Place: Serre Road Cemetery No.2 - Plot XXXI. K. 7

Memorials: Wymondham War Memorial, United Kingdom

Henry Andrews, son of William and Elizabeth Andrews, is recorded as being baptised at Hardington (Sic) on 14 May 1893. There is no such place as Hardington, Norfolk.

He was admitted to Hardingham School on 21 June 1898. He is recorded as being removed from Hardingham School on 1 October 1899.

He appears on the 1911 Census in Wymondham, and also on the 1901 Census as the sixth of eight children. There is no military record of a “Harry” Andrews or of a “Henry” Andrews with the service number 17609, other than the CWGC record.

Harry Andrews was killed in the Battle of Guillemont, part of the Battles of The Somme, which commenced on 3 September 1916.

The 1st Norfolk Regiment together with the 1st Cheshire Regiment and the 1st Bedfordshire Regiment attacked Falfemont Farm on 4th September. The 16th Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the 1st Norfolk Regiment reached the farm during the late afternoon.

Unfortunately, they then came under “friendly” artillery fire that caused serious casualties. According to the Regimental casualty book 56 all ranks were killed, 219 wounded and 94 missing, believed killed, a total of 369. The battalion was relieved the next day.

Harry Andrews is recorded as having been killed on 4 September 1916. He was 23 years old. He is buried at Serre Road Cemetery, and is commemorated on the War Memorial at Wymondham; but it would appear probable that he was also a native of Hardingham and should also be remembered here.

The War Memorial at Wymondham records that:

Private 17609 Harry Andrews was born in Hardington (sic). He enlisted in the 1st Norfolk Regiment in Norwich. He served in France & Flanders and was killed in action on 4th September 1916. He is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No.2 Grave XXXI. K. 7 and is remembered on the Wymondham War Memorial.

Serre Road Cemetery No. 2